So once again, the mailbag this week becomes a therapy session to vent. And there were plenty of mixed emotions.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio runs onto the field with the team before the Redbox Bowl against Oregon at Levi's Stadium on Monday, Dec. 31, 2018.(Photo: Stan Szeto USA TODAY Sports)

Chris, please be honest. Are you optimistic at all? Same cast of characters in new roles... With that D returning, it seemed like the perfect time for an offensive staff overhaul. And then today’s (press conference) happens. Time to catch up with the times. Interested to hear your take. – @mikimatt (via Twitter)

The unknown in this will be how Brad Salem shows as an offensive coordinator. I was working in Sioux Falls when he took over at his alma mater, Augustana, and his offensive mind revived a small, private college that had become dormant under his long-time coach Jim Heinitz. Time will tell if he can translate to major-college coordinator, but I always thought his head coaching background (as well as learning from his dad, ex-Minnesota coach Joe Salem) and time under Nick Saban had Brad ready for bigger things.

As for the other moves, it appears to be Dantonio moving guys back to the coaching positions where they have had previous success to try and spark them as much as revamping his program. But Dantonio was never going to completely dissolve his staff on one side of the ball, regardless of outside pressure.

And this is why his legacy will be forever be stubbornness, and unfortunately the Big Ten titles, Rose Bowl and Playoff will all be an afterthought. – @DougAU22 (via Twitter)

Remember, this was the conventional thought after the 2012 season as well. Even when he promoted internally with Dave Warner and brought in Jim Bollman to run the offense. Those changes led to Big Ten titles, that Rose Bowl and College Football Playoff appearance.

I think this is a good move. Let’s see what coach Salem is able to do with the offense. Continuity is better than having a revolving door in A2, which is tough on the players. I trust Coach D, and his decision making. He’s done great and I think MSU Fans need to relax. – @nothingrhymesw2 (via Twitter)

Anyone who expected Dantonio to branch outside his coaching tree had not been paying attention to things he said all season about loyalty being a two-way street.

Coach D says he would be irate if he brought in someone new and it failed miserably. Maybe he would understand how irate his fanbase is right now with the current staff that failed miserably. – @spartythumber (via Twitter)

He said the main reason he called the news conference was to give fans insight into his changes and rationale, so he clearly understands the amount of heat he is taking right now from them – maybe more than at any other time.

Very telling decision by a Coach that has proven he is a total idiot in the name of friendship. Michigan goes out and does exactly what I have preached since Oct. Go out and get a coach or coaches from the SEC and get some new fresh competitive minds that have recruiting connections in areas other than the 100 mile radius of East Lansing. Look who he has picked, someone who has no achievements or connection for recruiting. An absolute walk on in the coaching world. Let’s step up the criticism over the next year until we fire Dantonio back to AKRON, CINCINNATI, or AUGUSTANA. As a defensive coordinator. Not a head coach. He has reached his Peter Principle ceiling. He is a total fraud and has now proved it in the name of loyalty, This isn’t the Boy Scouts. Shame on the media for letting him get away with this BS. - Alan R. (via email)

Wow.

As 54-year old alumni, I am shocked to read some of these ridiculous comments on coach Dantonio. He has brought more credibility and stability to Michigan State football program than any other coach since Duffy Daugherty. Please stop printing their asinine comments and questions. It upsets us proud Alums who know better. – Billy M. (via email)

Oh. My bad. See above.

If you take a car that isn't running well and just shuffle around the parts...Guess what, it's still not going to run well. #losingfaith #nomorekoolaid – @oneputtkelly (via Twitter)

As longtime mailbag visitor @BreslinBirds responded, “You never rotated your tires and things suddenly ran smoother?” It remains to be seen if major engine repair is still needed.

So sad. Stubborn pride is burning the program to the ground. A real AD wouldn’t put up with this @BillBeekman – @davejakes (via Twitter)

So the one offensive coach who's recruited and coached 7 All-Big Ten players, two were B1G receivers of the year and probably would have a 3rd if Felton Davis doesn't get hurt LOSES his position? You're kidding me right? – @holcomb22 (via Twitter)

The Terrence Samuel move is certainly curious. Brian Lewerke struggled to throw, MSU lost Davis to injury for the final half of the season, and Samuel had the most banged-up unit on the team. He also lost Hunter Rison and Trishton Jackson to transfer, never got to explore the speed of Justin Layne before he moved to defense and watched potential game-breaker Donnie Corley get dismissed from the program for his transgressions.

Nobody loves MSU fball more than me. Nobody. But I have had it with this BS. Coach D is going to burn down everything he has built. Sad, sad, sad. – @PetrowskiScott (via Twitter)

It’s almost like the 10-win 2017 season never happened in some fans’ minds.

People complain that he won’t make moves. Made moves and people still complain. Every change he made on offense made perfect sense. Now just to see how much the play calling changes with the move – @seth_wintgens (via Twitter)

Rational. And true. Someone somewhere always will be upset.

I think it's reasonable to expect some new voices in the room after the wasted opportunities. The problems were deeper than just play calling. Glad there's a change at all but I don't have much faith in the offensive staff. Buckle up I guess. – @brooksza (via Twitter)

Also rational. No one will know until this time next year if it worked or not.

Clearly this is Dantonio’s last move until he retires. He’s decided he’ll let the next guy make the tough choices. Mark put his last chip on the table hoping to catch an inside straight. Good luck. – @Smagac56 (via Twitter)

If he rises up again or goes down in flames, Dantonio will exit like he thrived after he arrived: Surrounded by people he trusts. He is simply being true to who he is and has always been.